Chapter 17
“Ow, ow, ow!” Vander sat in the44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2hDH9Ffhk
chair within the medical room while Topal placed topical ointments on his44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTny1RnbA8Q
wounds. He had removed his shirt to allow the doctor to check him over and44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODYrPzZERk
there were already colorful bruises gathering on his skin. Eliza, who was in44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡel8s6FdzAR
the adjoining room being attended to by Topal’s granddaughter seemed to be in44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaXsLU2iyL
better spirits. She was laughing the entire time with no sounds of pain.
“She did quite the number on you44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRjKnFIdWp
huh?” Topal asked. Vander could see the little smirk gathering on the old man’s44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqFOkPvGWh
face as he checked him over.
“You know I heal quickly, Topal.”44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKUYnTcggm
Vander snorted. “Short of killing me, I’ll be better off sooner than she will.44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmczsw8zC5x
So, I’d say we were about even.”
“Don’t forget a lot of the nobles44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEG6o4DCIWZ
saw you getting your ass beat, so you better pretend like you’re injured for a44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzC03G87xE
while.” Topal slapped Vander’s ribs causing him to sit up hissing between44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8WqBqUFNE
clenched teeth.
“I’ll remember that.” He hissed.44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcj3hAZ921E
Vander turned towards the door. He could hear two people coming down the hall44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVBJlf7qEa
towards the room. Based on their scent and how Shea was acting nonchalantly44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERJD1v0feL
about it, it was Cuvera and Kiara.
Cuvera didn’t even knock, he just44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbvkRgnq18
walked in with Kiara coming up behind him. “Damn, you look like shit.” He44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLXarXOacF
grinned. “But don’t you think you should put a shirt on.” he frowned. “You’re44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKg7sxyUxcN
making me look bad.”
“Nonsense.” Kiara jabbed his side.44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmdUUxLGD1
“He’s the one who just got whooped by Eliza. You could have taken her easily.”44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ50QsPJvVD
She winked at Vander when Cuvera puffed out his chest in pride.
“Damn right I could.” He said,44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxFGh4RnPg
slapping her on the ass causing her to squeal then punch his arm. “Go see how44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9raU7dHQW9
your maid of honor is doing while I talk to Vander for a second.”
“You’re wish is my command.” She44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJkTnoSUVc
curtsied. Vander told her than Eliza was in the other room then pointed towards44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVMtUr202H
the doorway. She walked through then closed the door behind her, so they44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRGT9mAOwV
couldn’t overhear what was being said.
“Doctor, would you mind giving us44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDw9oln8iSF
the room?” Cuvera asked.
“Of course.” Topal clipped his bag44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLHuiGmR3e
shut but left the container of ointment for Vander. “Rub this on your wounds44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFpOst5fRd
twice a day. They should clear up in a week or two.” Vander thanked the older44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJgc8JtJwn
man and watched as he closed the door.
“What is it you wanted to talk to44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBi5OQ8R4PK
me about?” Vander asked. Cuvera sighed then pulled up a seat across from44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ686Dm1kr0M
Vander.
“I want you to be my best man for44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdY1UwriF9
the wedding tonight.” He said. Vander stared at his friend a little confused.
“Who else were you considering?”44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqohVd1eLxN
he asked.
“No one.” Cuvera sighed. “You’ve44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqyxGx9t59
been with me since the very beginning and despite what the nobles say, you are44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQYmr0XMtv
the closest friend I have. You are the only one I’ve wanted by my side44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZM228E3Mye
tonight.”44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbq9h0ZX1pJ
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0wjrnzy26
“Why did it take so long44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAHMR8pIgD
for you to ask me?” Vander laughed, but immediately regretted it, holding his44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSrRrLQKPB
side in pain. “Have you asked my grandfather to make sure it’s alright I skip44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNgeeCe0CB
guarding duty tonight?”
“I asked him after you left.”44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbMfm1pZ63
Cuvera nodded. “He said it was fine provided you agree. My father will deal44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpYPgJu2is
with the nobles, I just need you to say yes.”
“Do you have something for me to44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokJHpEBRsI
wear?” Vander asked causing Cuvera to break out in a wide grin. “All my44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGZm5JKt2e
clothing are for going out on the town or performing my duties as a Blade. I44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhih0cKbbT6
don’t have anything you would consider,” he waved his hand around. “Appropriate44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMcH9MXrIH
for a wedding.”
“What do you take me for?” Cuvera44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9DLahgouF
scoffed. “Come on, this will be fun.”
Thirty minutes later Vander found44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNN4ALTohMj
himself in Cuvera’s room standing on a circular stand with three mirrors44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1XUOCLZvS
surrounding him. There was an army of people coming in and out of the room with44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57vnayWpg1
a seamstress taking his measurements with a thin tape. She made notes on a44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVg80RXcVeu
piece of paper then shouted orders to her people.
“Give me the silver fabric.” Opal44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CeiSMEsm2
Jayne ordered. Apparently she was of no relation to Topal, but Vander found44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjHScOiMSu
that hard to believe. No way multiple people be that bad at naming their44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIA7GcqVipX
children. “Yes, this will match your hair quite nicely.” She muttered to44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0nvQtGoIV
herself. She snapped her fingers and the helpers brought in some more fabric44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEKZVeVyY6
for her to look at ranging from blues all the way to yellows. She placed the44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaw7t4mYRoD
silver fabric on Vander’s shoulder. She then started to place other fabrics on44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfamJNv32h
top until she found a dark blue she liked.
“Is it done?” Cuvera asked.
“I have all the measurements I44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABSNDQgIpf
need from him as well as the colors to best match his complexion along with44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjKrvIiqFE
your outfit.” Opal mused. “I never thought I would get the chance to work on44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtXaZPCv9D
you, Vander, it will take all of my power to make this work, but I daresay you44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamRuidTSZa
will like the results.”
“Thank you.” Cuvera smiled. “Get44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenIkFiGitG
him a few rings and a necklace as well. He doesn’t like spending money on44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEBn4fxc8p
himself, so I get to do it instead.”
“Of course.” She smiled. “I’ll44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCm0APA6s1
send you my bill. When do you need this by?”
“Tomorrow afternoon.” He said.44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTLOWfcfby
Vander looked over at him with a frown.
“I thought the wedding was44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQifWryp7e
tonight?” Cuvera and Opal looked at each other then burst out laughing.
“This wouldn’t all be done by44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMDIYZazfM
tonight dear boy.” Opal wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “I have two44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDCdDKpfme
dresses to make and your suit. I’ll be up all night making sure everything is44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWJID8X6lm
ready.”
“I made sure it was okay if I44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0lkK0GFeS
postponed it until tomorrow.” Cuvera explained. “If anything, my father was44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJ6BsRCKTv
relieved for more time, so he approved it.”
“What am I supposed to do with44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTjx9b9d1N
myself now?” Vander groaned.
“Don’t know.” Cuvera shrugged. “Go44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0xdcYneYF
for a walk, get drunk, get your dick wet, whatever you want. I’ll see you44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mKDMiTVoU
later.” He winked then quickly slipped out of the room.
“Jackass.” Vander muttered. He44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4r6opUeGA
slipped on his clothing, clipped his sword to his belt, then left the room.44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDbsX1GQXl
Shea had been forced to sit outside so she wasn’t in the way, so she joined44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakARVMhYSt
him.
“That seemed like fun.” She44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFIOSA8K93
said.
“Well, now we have the night off.”44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7LrhWGcQz
He replied. “What should we do now?”
“I would like to head back if44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xMy5j4KOO
you don’t mind.” She said. “I’m tired.”
“You are more than welcome to head44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSi5CymDREF
back to the bedroom if you want.” He said. “I’ll be fine on my own.”
“Don’t forget you have to44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGysKrxtofA
oversee the protection detail around the castle for tomorrow’s wedding.” She44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUM1fQ2NWC
said. “Perhaps you should focus on that while you have time.”
“Ah shit, I forgot about that.” He44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJ8QzBHfRC
groaned. “So much has happened within the past several days that it slipped my44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWEaKYvJNc
mind.”
“Then it’s lucky that my mind is44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeSUnOm3QN
still about me.” Vander turned around to see his grandfather standing behind44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡww4AaOUGMX
them. “How many times have I told you not to talk to Shea where others can hear44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOHgjBZMBx
you?”
“Sorry, Grandfather.” Vander44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx92MRuL02o
muttered. Shea licked his hand before walked down the hall and disappearing44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXGXqyyhCr
into the darkness. “She’s heading back to my room to sleep. She hasn’t been44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhUHOrjRj5
sleeping well lately.”
“With all the wardens here, I’m44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHywlNOfNo
surprised anyone is sleeping.” Charles sighed. “Anyway, do you have a moment to44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HQoHbs0WG
chat? There are some things I’d like to discuss with you.”
“Of course.” Charles led the way44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXi8Y7C1zg
down the hall and up a flight of stairs towards his office. There were two44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdAgjsOqrc
Blades standing at the door whom he dismissed with a flick of his hand. Once44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvm4IYe09mq
inside, he poured both a small glass of whiskey.
“Eliza passed.” Charles answered44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuk8U3oxT2
the unspoken question after he drained his glass and poured himself another44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6TsYgOERM
one. “After the wedding we will initiate her as a Blade Captain with control of44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlJxS2hrcM
her own squad.”
“Are you sure about that?” Vander44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTC0RMHv1l8
asked. “There are abound to be plenty who are going to be pissed they got44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmg7rIsqDqG
passed for a promotion to someone from Bricen, even if she is qualified.”
“They are able to challenge her44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfPMwCI2gh
for the spot, but based on how she was able to take you down, I doubt the44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwqkEzoCIF
others will be able to keep up with her.” He explained.
“Come on gramps,” Vander rolled44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzKEtLi1Jt
his eyes. “I was holding back, and you know it.”
“An ass whooping is an ass44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVORKyX5CR
whooping Vander.” He laughed. “Plus, I expect she was holding back as well, and44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxgqiJOTqA
she had just finished running the gauntlet beforehand. I think you would have44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQzcUqbYdC
lost if she wasn’t exhausted.”
“You’re supposed to be on my44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwz6wfbzW5p
side.” He grumbled.
“I’m for whatever makes us44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2W6ADm1efZ
stronger.” Charles leaned back in his chair. “Malcolm told me about what Ross44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JQzdvvqXE
had told you when you visited him. While I’m not happy you went there,44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsa8ulbDuHi
especially without telling me, we now have an enemy to focus our efforts on. Was44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XCrfs7JyL
there anything else he could tell you?”
“There was, but I’d have to fight44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqiquIEvhw
in the pits against his champions.” Vander explained. “It’s not something I’m44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqXR91RtUZ
keen on doing, but I will if I need to.”
“That might not be necessary.”44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjCRDL7lqH
Charles was quiet for a moment. “What do you know of Draken? The man Warden44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYMIG8m7qx
Valarian always keeps with her?”
“Not much.” Vander admitted. “Just44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmaNx263Te
that he’s a strong fighter.”
“Not just that.” Charles got up44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbLyzVXkOo
from his desk to walk towards one of the bookshelves. He skimmed the shelves44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqJqdO5YKJ
for a moment before selecting an old black book with gold trim. He flipped44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUuGzdKwBP
through the pages until he found the one he wanted then placed it on the table44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSW893tkl1
in front of Vander. It was a picture of Aubum, the deity of mortality and44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyibrMMHUyd
death. One of the children of the Darkness.
Aubum was a mysterious deity. Not44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpl9pZ9xAfO
much was known about him even within the texts of the other deities. Before his44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkwdPEIFCE
arrival, humans were immortal, but Darkness had created him to rob them of the44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzLMgd0Eej
one thing they coveted more than anything, their lives. It was a move to try44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSMlM6mgW3
and weaken her parents and siblings, but it backfired because humans prayed to44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdcfmPIfM1
the deities even more afterwards. Some believe he did it to weaken his mother,44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzd69dUevi
but that was the minority opinion.
Aubum was human in appearance, but44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47rGQaJk8z
his hair was bright green while his skin was the color of death. He wore white44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7SoCs5kss
robes with sandaled feet. His weapon of choice was a large scythe, but he used44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHAgaixl80
it more to walk with than as a weapon considering how old he truly was.
“Are you telling me that Draken is44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIm6Cd1nId
the Ma’akti of Aubum?” Vander asked. “I thought he stayed out of human affairs44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlooBewuwR
until their death?”
“It’s something passed down since44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpjRsFxNdW
the Valarian line started.” Charles explained. “Out of everyone in the council,44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEuovqhzJR
only the King and I know who he truly is.” There was a slight gust of wind that44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCAltk2qHi
wafted around the apartment as the smell of decay appeared in Vander’s nose. In44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3goARK3Vd
one deft movement, Vander jumped from his seat and drew his sword pointing it44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TB97PjNoq
at one of the darkened corners.
“Good.” A voice hissed from the44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQRDwcPEE8
shadows. Two bright yellow eyes appeared as a man stepped out from the shadows,44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWi7H55b1n
but they clung to him as if trying not to let him go. Now that Vander’s eyes44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57ONuIoYfP
could adjust, he realized the man had dark green, scaley skin, and large44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhb6On86Rgy
canines that jutted past his top lip. He was wearing a long-mottled cape which44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vvtymmQZT
allowed him to blend with the shadows along with leather armor protecting his44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsg7MQbTnsT
chest. He wore a series of knives on his belt, likely his preferred weapon of44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdcfkBso7A
choice.
“Draken, you came.” Charles bowed44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhAh8OMJTQ
his head respectfully. “Would you like a drink?”
“No thanksssss, Commander.” He44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlCqDrzGiP
hissed. “But why have you asked my missssstressss for me? I wasssss hoping to44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlURc6rTi7a
enjoy my ssssstay?”
“Can you stop hissing?” Charles44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgcjo0pHWT
asked. “I know you do it just to make people piss their pants, but you don’t44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjekk2rCTX
have to do it here.”
“Sorry.” Draken laughed. It44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbKT0ed6F1
sounded raspy like he had been smoking for decades, it was likely his throat44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVF84vN9pC
wasn’t used to normal speak. “It’s a habit at this point.”
“How did you get in here?” Vander44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClkZGi65QP
asked.
“Do you expose your secrets to any44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiAa6to4xf
who asked Unna’tun Ma’akti?” Vander stared at him surprised. “Only those with44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJEYN304fV
her abilities can sense me when I’m cloaked considering we are cousins of a44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EXZ7wtkSZ
sort.”
“I guess that makes sense.” Vander44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdpanpTzZj
shrugged his shoulder. “This is something I would kill to keep secret if you44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5TePnOwCd
catch my meaning.”
“Don’t worry.” Draken smiled. “I44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysEJg279oS
won’t tell anyone anything. This is a secret that should stay in the shadows44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSF7dt7r99X
with as few as possible. None of us wish for our secrets to be exposed,44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgToFUwWmrL
especially not those in power.”
“Only a select few will know of44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8SK3isPZ5
this.” Charles explained. “We have sworn on the book of Humjir to keep the44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLT35w8FZcK
identities a secret. If anyone breaks that vow, they will die.”
“I trust you.” Vander sighed. “But44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YlukStQfr
onto the question, why is he here?”
“Because I have a job for him.”44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡln3ZgAFJcY
Charles explained. “We have someone in our dungeons who knows the location of44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aesZmecuO
whoever tried to kill our King. I want you to pry the information out of my any44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxGwP4xWiT
means necessary then track down whoever sent him here. When you find them, I44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaLt0vdcrK
want to know about it.”
“And who will protect my Warden44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFFVIOtd7W
while I do this?” Draken asked.
“We will have our best protecting44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPj2j9XWEF
her.” Charles assured him. “Captain Alexander will take three others to help44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZJQlIiTJ7
protect her.”
“Do you trust him?”
“With my life.” Vander answered.44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OjtSbnSLV
“We’ve been through a lot together. We will protect her with his life if need44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ys4VEp5Am
be.”
“Then very well.” Draken bowed his44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0r6fay7OH
head. “Should I make daily reports?”
“No, only report when you finish.”
“Understood.” With that Draken44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlb0D6EWrt9
slunk back into the shadows then disappeared. Vander didn’t speak until he was44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9GZmXOvOa
sure that the man was gone.
“That was something.” He said.
“He’s always been like that, but44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdfHZ3K3I3
he gives results and that’s what matters.”
“Will the guards walk in on44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZkj2S6C1L
anything?” Vander asked.
“I gave the guards the night off.”44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKsVnxAGId
Charles sat back down in his chair. “No one will hear the man’s screams. I want44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOG94KVsu0q
to get this done as quickly as possible.”
“Cuvera and I questioned him44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxKwobW5n7
before, and he swore that they had nothing to do with the King’s poisoning.”44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8i6CiGNij
Vander explained.
“You know better than to trust44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhHOuRjIWJ
someone like that Vander, unless you doubt Ross’ word?”
“Ross always has some hidden44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkvdprc6YE
agenda, but he wouldn’t lie to me.” Vander frowned. “It could be his44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHuZCLjTym
information is wrong.”
“We will see what happens once44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDEm2OSobl
Draken finishes his investigation.” Charles tossed back his whiskey. “His44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzopNKiryRN
methods are cruel, but we need that now. Any moment we waste is another chance44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKCXySa6nN
they must kill Malcolm.”
“I agree with you.” Vander also44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZmJUcMFWK
drank the burning liquid which caused him to grimace. He hated the taste, but44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsd23lwxVl
it did relax him. “I don’t want to talk about this anymore gramps.”
“What should we talk about then?”44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IYdslgAtK
Charles grinned. “Would you like to talk about your attraction to Eliza?”44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Yqb6AQPjs
Vander choked on his drink.
“What?” He sputtered. “I don’t44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0O9kVoVqTT
like her!”
“So that mild bit of flirting44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQf4AsMZ0e
while you fought this morning was nothing?” Charles asked. “I might be old, but44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1hAgPgqXx
I’m not dead yet and neither are you. You’d be a fool not to be interested in44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSE8NafV7Gu
her.”
“Come on, I barely know her.” He44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wB3IUSEjP
protested. “Besides, she can find someone better.”
“I know Bree dumping you hurt, but44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMhlCQGBO8
you can’t close yourself off forever.” His grandfather sighed. “It’s time you44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfr3RIav6rS
found someone to settle down with. I’d like to have great-grand children before44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTU8eEIpnIM
I die.”
“I’m only twenty, gramps.” Vander44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPvUxsG0zP
sighed. “We have plenty of time.”
“I suppose you’re right.” Charles44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJGYqmJXWZ
mused. However, he got a sad look in his eyes that Vander couldn’t quite figure44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUbmobgvVZ
out.”
“Is everything alright?” he asked.
“Yes, yes.” Charles waved him off.44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSN8u32pwzh
“I just think she will be a good match for you as well, Vander. Give it some44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTveqqkHcS
thought, but ultimately, it’s up to you.”
“Thank you.” Vander sipped the44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMuVCs5SLq
drink. “It is alright if I sleep? I’ve had a long day.”
“Of course.” Charles smiled. “I44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3KKrd1Bov
will see you tomorrow.” Vander walked over to the other side of the desk and44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7M8b1io2HK
kissed his grandfather on the top of his head. With a small wave he left the44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6oESjmVfs
room.
He decided to take the long way44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfhHWr3jCl
back to his room opting to take a walk along the outer corridor towards the44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3onz7QZ5TZ
other gardens. The gardens behind the castle were filled with various bushes44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4SVzXruGW
and flower gardens ranging from roses to daffodils. There were pathways that44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf90vAbqrgH
weaved around each garden bed and benches were people sat while they enjoyed44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhLcWKJbk8
themselves. Here nobles were allowed to visit, but with the wedding tomorrow,44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyD2SlVf9W
many were resting.
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The full moon was high in the sky44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhaYajuRu0
when Vander sat down on a secluded bench in a corner garden. Despite the chaos44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vCPigTcqZ
that was his life and Unna’s gifts constantly clawing at him, he enjoyed the44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgZ7XWCk6c
quiet serenity that this spot offered him. It was one of the few places he44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WoBsGXaMg
could feel at ease and not have to worry about anyone else. He lay down on the44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepfSBMkVw5
bench to stare up at the moon before closing his eyes to rest.
